NZ232242A - Swimming pool filter inlet flow combine valve for skimmer and underwater cleaner streams - Google Patents

Description

<div id="description" class="application article clearfix"> <p lang="en" class="printTableText">M . I <br><br> 232242 <br><br> &lt;0 <br><br> Priority Date(s): <br><br> Complete Specification Filed: <br><br> Class: / <br><br> .fcAWYnlljfefl.W. <br><br> Publication Date: ty!Y. J99T.. <br><br> P.O. Journal. No: <br><br> NEW ZEALAND <br><br> PATENTS ACT 1953 <br><br> COMPLETE SPECIFICATION <br><br> "Flow Regulation Device for the Cleaning System of a Pool, in Particular of a Swimming Pool" <br><br> I MICHAEL JOHN CHANDLER, a British Subject, of 7, rue Beautreillis 75004, Paris, France hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: <br><br> - 1 - <br><br> 23 2 2 42 <br><br> This invention relates to a flow regulation device for the cleaning system of a pool and, more particularly, of a swimming pool. <br><br> Most pools and virtually all swimming pools include a water filtration system having one or more suction units placed close to the surface of the water to remove debris lying on the water surface. The technical name for these suction units is "skimmers". <br><br> In addition, it is typical to use mobile cleaning devices which pass over the walls and floor of the pool, beneath the water surface, brushing the floor and walls and sucking up the dislodged debris. <br><br> Typically the mobile cleaning devices are powered by a water stream drawn through the units by vacuum. Conveniently the vacuum is applied to the mobile cleaning device through a flexible hose which is typically connected to the water filtration system through an aperture in the skimmer plate. The arrangement is such that, until relatively recent times, if the mobile cleaning device was connected to the skimmer plate, the skimmer unit itself could not function. <br><br> European patent specification 0,206,498 and US patent 4,683,599 disclose two forms of bypass valve which can be connected between the skimmer plate and the mobile pool cleaner to enable the skimmer and mobile pool cleaner to function simultaneously. However, in both cases, the form of valve described has a substantially horizontally aligned bypass aperture and when wave motion is present in the pool, the bypass <br><br> ' ' ' » <br><br> 232242 <br><br> apertures of the valves can easily become exposed above the water surface thus allowing air to bleed into the water filtration system. <br><br> It is an object of the present invention to provide a form of bypass valve for use in the cleaning system of a pool, in particular of a swimming pool, which will go at least some way — in overcoming the disadvantages of the forms of bypass valve used hereinbefore or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. <br><br> Accordingly, the invention consists in a flow regulation device for mounting between a swimming pool skimmer unit and a vacuum operated mobile underwater swimming pool cleaner, said device including a substantially cylindrical flow conduit having a first end communicable with a source of vacuum applied at the skimmer and a second end communicable with a mobile swimming pool cleaner, said flow conduit having an aperture in the wall thereof; and valve means having a substantially cylindrical valve surface slidable over that part of the flow conduit including said aperture, said cylindrical valve surface having an aperture therein adjustably alignable with the aperture in said flow conduit, and a peripheral skirt extending from, and about, said cylindrical valve surface to define a void in communication with the aperture in said cylindrical valve surface, the entrance to said void being in a plane located closer to said first end of said flow conduit than that part of the aperture in said cylindrical valve surface located closest to said first end. <br><br> - 3 - <br><br> - <br><br> 23 2 2 42 <br><br> In use the flow device is preferably located sustantially vertically on a skimmer plate incorporated in the swimming pool skimmer unit. Accordingly the first end of the flow conduit is the lower end while the second end is the upper end. When in position the skirt incorporated in the valve member extends below the lowest boundary of the aperture in the cylindrical valve member. <br><br> The skirt preferably extends vertically downward from an annular ring extending about the upper edge of the valve member and thus a substantially annular void is defined which is sealed at the upper end. Suitable projections may be provided on the annular ring which co-operate with an abuttment extending from the outer wall of the flow conduit to define two limit positions of the valve member with respect to the flow conduit. These limit positions, in turn, indicate when the apertures are perfectly aligned with one another and when the aperture in the flow conduit is completely covered by the valve member. <br><br> To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. <br><br> One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which <br><br> Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric view of a swimming pool including a filtration and cleaning system; <br><br> 232242 <br><br> Figure 2 shows a schematic isometric view of a swimming pool skimmer unit having a mobile pool cleaner attached thereto through a flow regulation device according to the invention; <br><br> Figure 3 shows an upper plan view of a flow regulation device according to the invention; <br><br> Figure 4 shows a section along the line IV - IV in Figure 3; and <br><br> Figure 5 shows a vertical section through part of the flow regulation device according to the invention showing detail of the apertures in the flow conduit and valve member which are relatively alignable with respect to one another. <br><br> Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a swimming pool 1 is depicted containing a body of water whose level is indicated by reference numeral 2. The pool 1 includes at least one skimming device 3 which will be referred to hereinafter by its typical name "skimmer". The skimmer includes a weir 4 in the front thereof. The weir 4 may be formed by part of the wall surface of the pool 1 and is located slightly below the water level 2 so that the surface water in the pool may be drawn toward the skimmer 3 by vacuum applied at the skimmer. <br><br> A pipe 7 leads downwardly from the skimmer 3 and connects with drainage piping 8 through a valve 7a. With the valve 7a open, water can be drawn from the skimmer 3 through pipe works 7 and 8 and through filtration unit 9 by pump 10. The filtered water is subsequently pumped back to the pool through delivery pipe 11 and distribution pipes 12. Water may also be drawn ' through bottom intake 14 which is connected to the inlet side of the filtration unit through connecting pipe 13 and valve 13a. <br><br> 232242 <br><br> Finally, a mobile cleaner 16 is generally provided which, in the form shown, is connected to a vacuum aperture located in a convenient location and provided on the distal end of pipe 15 which is connected into the drainage pipe 8 via valve 15a. The cleaner 16 is connected to the pipe 15 by a flexible pipe 16a which permits the cleaner 16 to move over the floor and walls of the pool 1 beneath the surface 2. The form of pool cleaner is not part of the invention and may comprise any of the forms of vacuum operated swimming pool cleaner. Some examples include those sold with reference to the trade marks QUESTA 2000, POOL VAC and KREEPY KRAULY. <br><br> When the pump 10 is operating and the valve 7a is in the open position, water from the pool 1 is drawn in by the skimmer 3 together with debris floating on the water surface 2. Vacuum applied at the skimmer in combination with the current generated as water is returned to the pool through pipes 12 ensures a continuous flow of water toward the skimmer 3. <br><br> When it is desired to clean the floor and walls of the pool 1 the pool cleaner 16 may be connected to vacuum pipe 15 by a flexible hose 16a. In this event it is necessary to adjust valves 7a and 15a so that the appropriate vacuum is applied to the cleaner 16. In some instances it is possible to effect the appropriate adjustments through valves 7a and 15a but, in those instances, it is still necessary to use considerable manual effort, adjusting the various valves, in order to achieve the optimium speed for the pool cleaner. <br><br> - 6 - <br><br> ifc.'' 1 r-I ■ - ~~r-.,-,x^L - -. .. J.,, <br><br> 232242 <br><br> In many swimming pool applications there is no separate vacuum line 15 provided for the mobile pool cleaner. In these applications the flexible hose 16a is connected to the source of vacuum applied at the skimmer 3. In this situation the skimmer cannot operate as the vacuum aperture in the skimmer is occupied by the inner end of hose 16a. Further, the valve 7a is not always readily accessible and, when relatively high powered pumps 10 are incorporated in the filtration system, the mobile pool cleaner is often over-powered. <br><br> In accordance with the invention a flow regulation device is provided which is fitted to the skimmer 3 between the skimmer 3 and the flexible pipe 16a connected to the mobile cleaner 16. This device, which is shown in Figures 3 to 5, permits the skimmer 3 and mobile cleaner to operate simultaneously and also permits the relative amounts of vacuum applied to each to be simply adjusted. This, in turn, enables the speed of the pool cleaner to be adjusted. <br><br> Referring now to Figure 2 the flow regulation device according to the invention is fitted to an aperture 17 commonly provided in the skimmer plate 6a which, in typical skimmers, covers skimmer basket 6. The skimmer basket 6 collects debris drawn in through the skimmer. The vacuum source which operates the skimmer is applied through pipe 7 which, as can be seen, is located beneath the skimmer basket 6. <br><br> Referring now to Figures 3 to 5 the flow regulation device comprises a cylindrical flow conduit 18 having a port or aperture 19 in the wall thereof. The particular shape and size <br><br> - 7 - <br><br> 232242 <br><br> of the port 19 is not essential to the invention but, in the form shown, the aperture 19 is trapezoidal in shape. <br><br> The flow regulation device further includes a valve member which is slidable with respect to the flow conduit 18, the valve member having a cylindrical valve surface 20 which includes a port 21 in the wall thereof, the port 21 preferably being of the same shape as the port or aperture 19 in the flow conduit. Extending from and about the cylindrical valve surface is a skirt 23. The skirt 23 is configured and arranged to overlie, but be spaced from, the aperture 21 and define a void about the aperture so that when the device is in position the skirt 23 extends below the lower boundary of the aperture 21. As can be seen in Figure 4, the skirt 23 preferably projects vertically downward from an annular plate 22 extending outwardly from the upper edge of the cylindrical valve surface 20. <br><br> The particular configuration of flow regulation device herein described preferably provides for rotational sliding movement between the flow conduit 18 and the valve member. Further, suitable stop means are preferably provided to limit the relative rotational movement between the valve member and the flow conduit between a first limit-position in which the apertures or ports 19 and 21 are fully aligned and a second limit-position in which the aperture 19 is fully covered by the cylindrical valve surface 20. To this end a pair of projections 26 and 27 are included on the annular plate 22 forming part of the valve member. These projections 26 and 27 co-operate with an abuttment 28 projecting from the outer wall of the flow conduit 18. In use, when the valve member is rotated so that <br><br> - 8 - <br><br> . • ' ■/ ■ <br><br> II II inn'l"i) liw'itlll I I *-\itrs.v <br><br> O <br><br> 232242 <br><br> surface 26a of projection 26 contacts the abuttment 28, the apertures or ports 19 and 21 are placed in full alignment thus allowing substantial vacuum to be applied at the skimmer and minimum vacuum to be applied to the mobile cleaner. However, when the valve member is rotated so that surface 27a of projection 27 contacts the abuttment 28, the aperture 19 in the cylindrical through channel is fully blocked by the cylindrical valve surface 20 thus applying the full vacuum to the mobile cleaner and none to skimmer 3. <br><br> It will be seen that the plate section 22 preferably includes visual markings thereon to indicate the positions of the valve member with respect to the flow conduit. <br><br> As can be seen from Figure 4 suitable sealing means is preferably provided between the valve member and the flow conduit. In the form shown the sealing means comprises a rubber 0-ring 24 located in peripheral groove 25 provided around the outer wall of the flow conduit above the aperture or port 19. Furthermore, a bush 30 is preferably provided on the lower end of the flow conduit to allow a sealing fit between the flow conduit and the skimmer plate 6a. The bush 30 is preferably made from a flexible material such as, for example, neoprene and O may include an internal stop 31 to limit the extent of its fit on the flow conduit 18. As can be seen from Figure 4 the bush 30 is preferably formed with a slightly conical lower end 30a. This allows the bush 30 to be used as an external cover for a nozzle or, alternatively as an internal fit in a cylindrical opening. <br><br> - 9 - <br><br> "■ ;• \ v." , ' <br><br> \ <br><br> 232242 <br><br> In use the flow regulation device as herein desribed is fitted substantially vertically to the skimmer plate 6a of a swimming pool skimmer by inserting end 30a of the bush fitted to the lower end of the device into the aperture 17 in the skimmer plate 6a. When in position the lower end of skirt 23 is submerged beneath the surface 2 of the water within the pool as can be seen from Figure 4. As a result the skirt prevents any suction of air upon operation of the pump 10. <br><br> The flexible hose 16a attached to the mobile cleaner 16 may then be fitted to the upper end of the flow conduit 18 and power applied to the pump 10. The operator may then rotate the valve member between the limits imposed by the projections 26 and 27 to adjust the water flow through the mobile cleaner 16 and thus the speed of operation thereof. <br><br> It will thus be appreciated that the invention provides a simple yet effective form of bypass valve which not only permits the water flow through a mobile cleaner to be simply adjusted but also permits the mobile cleaner to operate simultaneously with the pool surface skimmer. <br><br> -10- <br><br></p> </div>

Claims (10)

<div id="claims" class="application article clearfix printTableText"> <p lang="en"> w<br><br> 232242<br><br> o o<br><br> WHAT WE CLAIM IS:<br><br>

1. A flow regulation device for mounting between a swimming pool skimmer unit and a vacuum operated mobile underwater swimming pool cleaner, said device including a substantially cylindrical flow conduit having a first end communicable with a source of vacuum applied at the skimmer and a second end communicable with a mobile swimming pool cleaner, said flow conduit having an aperture in the wall thereof; and valve means having a substantially cylindrical valve surface slidable over that part of the flow conduit including said aperture, said valve surface having an aperture therein adjustably alignable with the aperture in said flow conduit, and a peripheral skirt extending from, and about, said cylindrical valve surface to define a void in communication with the aperture in said cylindrical valve surface, the entrance to said void being in a plane located closer to said first end of said flow conduit,<br><br> than that part of the aperture in said cylindrical valve surface located closest to said first end.<br><br>

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical valve surface is rotatably slidable with respect to said flow conduit.<br><br>

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further including sealing means between said flow conduit and said cylindrical valve surface, said sealing means being located closer to said second end than any part of the aperture in said flow conduit.<br><br> 11<br><br> 232242<br><br>

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sealing means comprises an O-ring located in a groove about said flow conduit between the aperture in said flow conduit and said second end.<br><br>

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said valve means includes an annular plate extending about the upper end of said cylindrical valve surface and wherein said skirt projects substantially vertically downward from the outer periphery of said annular plate.<br><br>

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said annular plate includes a pair of spaced projections co-operable with an abuttment extending from said flow conduit to limit the allowable rotational movement between said valve means and said flow conduit.<br><br>

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a first of said projections contacts said abuttment to define a position in which the aperture in said flow conduit is fully aligned with the aperture in said cylindrical sealing surface and wherein the second of said projections co-operates with said abuttment to define a position in which the aperture in said flow conduit is fully covered by said cylindrical valve surface.<br><br> -12-<br><br> \<br><br> \<br><br> 232 242<br><br>

8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said annular plate further includes visual markings to indicate the relative positions of the apertures in said flow conduit and said cylindrical valve surface.<br><br>

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a flexible bush mounted on said first end to enable said first end to be fitted to a pipe nozzle or cylindrical aperture.<br><br>

10. A flow regulation device when constructed arranged and operable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.<br><br> DATED THIS QJf^ DAY OF<br><br> A.J. PARK &amp; SON<br><br> -.PER<br><br> AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANT<br><br> </p> </div>